Pension protest to to taken to the PM (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Pension protest to to taken to the PM

ANGRY Post Office staff in Moreton are writing to Prime Minister Tony Blair to protest at the proposed dumping of the account card system for paying pensions to the elderly - barely three years since the new method of payment was introduced.

Their disgust at the changes has been backed by hundreds of local people, including the chairman of Moreton Town Council Cllr Dick Carroll, who have been busily signing a petition condemning the change and the possible repercussions it could have on the future of rural post offices.

Since the petition was put out in the Post Office in New Road on Friday, more than 300 people have signed up. As Moreton has nearly 4,000 residents, staff hope the petition will gather thousands more signatures.

In the meantime, manager Chris Millard is writing to Mr Blair explaining that customers are upset, angry and disappointed at the erosion to their freedom of choice. "It was a challenging time for post office staff and customers when the new card accounts came in, now everyone has got used to it, they want to end it. We have had plenty of comments from customers."

The President of the National Federation of Sub-postmasters, Patricia Jenkins, who is also executive officer for the Cotswolds, was delighted with the response to the petition in Moreton office.

The association has launched the petition countrywide, urging the Government to reverse its decision to end support for the Post Office Card Account.

"The response in Moreton has been really good and shows the level of horror people feel at this. We don't want the card account to go, nor do the customers, and we are aiming to gather three million signatures. We have the backing of 300 MPs so far, plus the WI and Help the Aged.

"In rural areas like the Cotswolds, where there are few banks now, the Post Offices provide an essential service. It could put offices in danger of closure and staff are right to be worried about their jobs."

The Federation fears it is being phased out by the Department of Work and Pensions in advance of its planned withdrawal in 2010.

James Plaskitt, DWP minister responsible for methods of payment reform, said: "The Government recognises the vital role played in the community by the local post office, which is why we have put in £2billion of support for the network over the last eight years.

"The Post Office card account contract was always due to end in 2010. There is no reason to believe that POCA expiry will automatically lead to post office closure. The card account has very limited facilities. For post offices to retain and grow their business in the fast changing world of financial services, they need new attractive products."